IS video shows murders at Palmyra

The Islamic State group has released a video showing the killing of 20 government soldiers in the historic town of Palmyra in central Syria.

The video showed the soldiers being taken in pick-up trucks from the town’s notorious Tadmur prison to the amphitheatre. They were then shot dead by young IS members armed with pistols. Hundreds of people were seen watching the killings.

It was not clear when the killings took place.

It was reported in May that scores of troops and state employees were killed after the Islamic State group captured the town.

Palmyra is a Unesco world heritage site famous for its 2,000-year-old Roman colonnades, other ruins and priceless artefacts.